“As New Jersey's
high-tech industry continues to grow, the potential for it to
make our roads safer and insurance more affordable is enormous,”
Governor James E. McGreevey said. “This task force is another
example of my commitment to identifying ways to put downward pressure
on rates for New Jersey motorists.”

The task force
is comprised of experts in law enforcement, highway safety, and
insurance, and is rooted in a collective belief that the implementation
of high technology systems in vehicles will reduce accidents and
put a downward pressure on automobile insurance rates.

The concept
of using high technology to make our roads safer and insurance
more affordable was initially raised in the legislature by Senator
Byron M. Baer.

“Insurance
companies spend a great deal of time and money performing crash
tests to assess the potential damage a crash could cause. Now,
the state can work together with them to investigate ways of decreasing
the chance of those crashes happening at all,” said Senator Byron
M. Baer, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. “New technologies
have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about driver
safety. These innovations will not only save money, but also lives.”

“New technology
can make our roads safer, which translates into fewer automobile
accidents, fewer injuries and fewer insurance claims,” Commissioner
Bakke said. “If we can reduce the number of accidents, we can
reduce the cost of auto insurance in New Jersey, further contributing
to the Governor's goal to maintain a downward pressure on premiums,
which has already resulted in over $100 million back to policyholders.”

In 2002,
there were more than 320,000 automobile accidents resulting in
83,000 injuries and 770 fatalities in New Jersey. Driver fatigue,
limited visibility, inclement weather, poor street design and
degraded road conditions increase the likelihood of accidents.
This task force will identify safety enhancing technologies and
initiatives that will improve driving conditions in and outside
of the car.

These automated
devices, collectively known as “intelligent technology systems,”
are being developed every day. Most popular examples are on-board
navigation systems: provides real-time news, traffic and weather;
crash notification systems: warn drivers of impending collisions;
and electronic stability control: corrects the effects of over-
or under-steering a vehicle. The proper use of these types of
technologies have the potential to reduce driver risk and save
lives.

"There
is a direct nexus between the safety of our roads and the cost
of auto insurance,” said NJDOT Commissioner Jack Lettiere. "
The Task Force will study ways to influence insurance companies
to reward policyholders with lower rates if they drive cars equipped
with the latest safety features. This may be the added incentive
consumers need to invest in these new technologies.”

The task
force also illustrates the Governor's dedication to helping the
high-tech industry grow in New Jersey. The Governor has targeted
investments to help strengthen technology-based companies. Supporting
and developing emerging technology in the auto manufacturing industry
reinforces his goal of building a better New Jersey by improving
driving conditions for the state's motorists.